The Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle is now taking orders for its annual donut sale…they are raising funds to perform at Disney this summer! Preorders get the special price of $1 each…if you wait until Fat Tuesday the price goes up to $1.50 each. With the help of Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, the girls are ready to satisfy even the most indulgent sweet tooth with a whole new set of flavors, including the famous rose hip jam! Traditionally, Polish families made pączki and other treats on this day to use up all the sugar and fat in the house that were forbidden during lent. Download your order form here

Polish Mardi Gras with styleWhen we host a party, we like to make sure there is always something new and fun for you to look forward to enjoying! Ostatki: A Polish Carnival Celebration is no different.The PYTown team’s favorite event of the yearwill be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013, 7 PM at The Magic Tree Pub & Eatery in Boardman. Sponsored by Zywiec Beer and Vesica vodka, this elegant party includes a tour of Poland through samplings of its best vodkas and beers—imported only for the event and not normally available in Ohio.NEW this year is a food pairing buffet so you will drink AND eat your favorite vodka and beer! You get a taste of Polish gourmet and we brought back the music, dancing, bead and trivia contest and—of course, a pączki parade and prizes. Tickets are on salehere

What’s your favorite vodka cocktail?Repeat winner and now Contest Judge Lisa Lotze says she is eager to see what her past creative concoctions will inspire in this year’s contestants at our Annual Vodka Cocktail Contest, sponsored by Vesica VodkaShe always used unexpected ingredients from her own organic garden and surprised all of us. You think you can too? Jump in there and show your stuff! You will be competing for prizes before a panel of local “celebrity” judges for some really cool prizes!! Each drink will be tested for creativity, flavor, originality and Polish theme. Learn more about it here

Start your Fat Tuesday in a festive fashionExcited to say that WFMJ Today has signed on to broadcast live from our first ever Pączki, Polkas and Piwo(translated as Donuts, Dancing and Draught)on Fat Tuesday morning February 12 from 6 - 10:30 AM at Kravitz Delicatessen on Belmont Avenue. It’s gonna be the kind of party that even folks used to pączki celebrations inBuffalo, Chicago and Hamtramck, MI would be proud to attend! Come hungry because Jack’s offering up breakfast specials like bacon and egg pierogi and kielbasa omelets to be washed down with some nice cold Tyskie. But don’t over eat cause you are gonna want to dance to the tunes being spun by our friends Larry & Diana Walk ofHappy Polkaland. BTW, for those who have wondered, our friends at Krakus Deli got right of first refusal on this event and turned us down. That’s okay! They need a little more time to grow before they take on this kind of party! Learn more here

LAST CHANCE to apply for scholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown annual scholarships is January 31st. The winners of the varied scholarships will be announced at the group’s Annual Scholarship Art, Music & Tea Reception at the Butler Institute of American Art, Butler North on Sunday, February 17 at 1 P.M. Mark your calendar to attend the tea for the always memorable entertainment. This year YSU Dana School of Music professor’s performance and talk is entitled a Celebration of Mazurkas.Poland's most distinctive music is as sweet as its finest dessert; the Mazur and Mazurka,. This event willfeature the work ofFryderykChopin. Chopin was inspired to focus on seriously composing his own unique mazurkas in 1830, the year of the November Uprising, a Polish rebellion against the Russian government. More on this exciting event to come.

Planning for tasty classesRemember those wonderful Sundays when Mom served gołąbki for dinner?What could be more satisfying to our hearts and souls?If your home was like so many others where the kitchen was Mom's domain and she did all the cooking, then you may have missed out on learning how to stuff your cabbage.The Polish Kitchen will teach you the secrets of making stuffed cabbage - Polish Style - on February 24 at 11 am.They're not difficult to make, but knowing the secrets is helpful.And while the stuffed cabbages are cooking, you'll be kept busy making naleśniki - those versatile, thin pancakes - with sweetened cheese to enjoy as a dessert.Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Cost of the class is $25.00.Bring take-out containers for your creations.For more information call Tad at 330-427-2752 or email.And in March…Back by popular demand ... we've all heard that before, but it's true! Our last Pierogi class was filled to capacity and we keep getting requests for another chance to learn how to make that tasty dumpling. We'll teach you the secrets of the dough, offer several recipes - both savory and sweet - for the filling and you'll take home a dozen of the ever-popular potato and cheese filling.

News from US PoloniaSeattle Polonia showcase Chopin tooThe Chopin Foundation Northwest Council presents its annual Chopin Festival this weekend Feb 2 at the University of Washington School of Music. The annual event is one of the biggest piano competitions in the Northwest and this year has attracted 130 young pianists from across Washington state. The competition runs from 9 am to 5:30 pm in different audition rooms for different age divisions and for the new concerto division. Learn more

News from PolandSpoczywaj w pokojuCardinal Jozef Glemp, who played a central role in Poland's peaceful transition from Communism to democracy as the long-time primate of the country's Roman Catholic Church, has died. He was 83.Learn more about this story and other stories in this week’s Polish Media Watch.

Calendar HighlightsFebruary 9 “Some like it hot” Ostatki–Mardi Gras, Pittsburgh, 2013... March 19 Śląsk Song & Dance Ensemble of Poland coming to the Byham Theater, Pittsburgh Ticket start at $28 For more info call 412-456-6666... And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Do Zobaczenia!Aundréa and Your PolishYoungstown Team

Take a look, click on the link below or copy and paste it in your browser's address bar: